Here are my Ward / Edwards families in Johnson County: 1910: 24 November, Willis A. Edwards of Bloomfield, Johnson County, Illinois, Laborer, 22, born in White County, Illinois, son of McCollister and Emma Edwards, marries Mary E. Rion, 18 born Johnson County, Illinois, daughter of William Rion of Bloomfield, Illinois. The Edith Edwards listed below is the sister in law of this McCollister Edwards, so she is Willis A. Edwards' aunt. 1920 Federal Census, Johnson County, Illinois, Cache Township, "Belknap Village" Family #119: Ward, Harve, 24, married, born Illinois, mother and father born Illinois, Laborer, Timber & Farm Ward, Hazel, 19, born Indiana, mother and father born Illinois Ward, Harvey O., 1-11/12, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Indiana Edwards, Edith, Mother-in-law, 64, widow, born Illinois, mother and father born Illinois. And about my great-uncle, Fred Edwards, son of Edith Edwards and cousin of Willis A. Edwards . . . August, 1933: Johnson County, Illinois Criminal File Box 114, Change of venue from (Harrisburg?), Fred Edwards convicted of statutory rape in 1933 and served time at the Southern Illinois Penitentiary in Johnson County. Witnesses called were Margie Edwards, Lillian Edwards, Lorena Lindsey, Floyd Rose (New Columbia), and Mr. Thunderberger (Old Man), Mermet, Ill. The file does not yeild detail other than the girl was 14, named Nellie House. Believe it said she was a willing participant, but was a minor. I believe the crime took place in Harrisburg, but they requested a change of venue. I did not copy all papers. November, 1933: Johnson County, Illinois Box 82, Chancery #2264: Francis Edwards files for divorce from Fred Edwards. Her deposition yields the following: She lives in Belknap, Illinois, and has for 2 years. She married Fred Edwards 14 April, 1928. He was convicted of statutory rape 29 August 1933, and is serving time at the Southern Illinois Penitentiary in Johnson County, Illinois. No children. Her maiden name is Francis Burnam, and she wishes to change her name back. Any connection? Debbie Ward McArdle ----- Original Message ----- From: Rebel Kreklow To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, April 26, 2004 10:06 AM Subject: RE: [ILJOHNSO] WARD CHAPMAN Picture, Johnson Co families Debbie McArdle..... You wrote Have you any other photos with the following surnames from Karnak / Belknap / Vienna area: > WARD > MORSE > EDWARDS > BEGGS May I ask which Johnson County "Edwards" family are you interested in? Regards, Rebel Kreklow ==== ILJOHNSO Mailing List ==== Visit the Official Johnson Co IL ILGenWeb Site! http://www.rootsweb.com/~iljohnso/